JOHANNESBURG - Lurking from the depths of the Ski Valley Conference football standings, Johannesburg-Lewiston could be this year’s surprise team.

With a host of speedy skills players returning with varsity experience, coach Fred Davis said the Cardinals will have no problem bettering last season’s 2-7 mark.

“We’ll be far better than 2-7,” Davis said. “We have some of the fastest and best skill kids in the league. We have a great attitude and I think we’ll surprise some people.”

Another surprise may come in how the Cardinals run their offense. Traditionally a pound-it-out Wing-T team, J-L may spread the ball to all areas of the field because it has the ability to do so.

“We’re going to get the ball out to our kids because they are that good,” Davis said. “We’ll still run the Wing-T, but you’ll be surprised with some of the things we’ll do out of it.”

Leading the charge will be senior halfback/end Curtis VanDoren who, when healthy, was one of the SVC’s most dangerous players last season. Using his great speed, Van Doren (5-6, 147) scored seven touchdowns and was J-L’s leading receiver and second leading rusher, despite missing almost four games. He had an outstanding scrimmage at Manton last week, Davis said.

The trigger man of the offense is returning senior quarterback Ty Knapp, who has shown the ability to throw in the preseason. Junior Darren Dobbyn, who will start in the backfield, will also see action at quarterback. Senior backs Alex Vogt and junior Joe Yeskey both played varsity last season and will also have big roles in the offense.

Davis said he is excited about the Cardinals sizeable offensive line, led by senior center Steve Young (208 pounds), who is starting for his third season. Others who will contribute on the line include seniors Kevin Kocur (246) and Troy Foley (190) and juniors Ben Bush (179), Jake Graham (182) and Keith Koronka (248). Juniors Gavin Koronka and Ricky McLean could line up at tight end.

The defense received a major offseason boost in the form of popular coordinator John Bush, who has returned to the school and team after fighting throat cancer last season.

“It will help the kids mentally and physically,” Davis aid. “They are really glad to have him back.”

Inside linebackers Dobbyn and Graham will rack up the tackles, with Yeskey, Bush and McLean playing outside linebacker. Davis is high on his secondary, which includes VanDoren, Knapp and Vogt.

If there is an area of concern for Davis, it is the defensive line.

J-L will be able to see exactly where it stands the first week of the season, when it hosts defending league champion Central Lake.

“We really think we can give them a game,” Davis said. “We can be more than competitive.”

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